Tony Ryder's "The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing"

[Michele Rushworth]

In my opinion Tony Ryder's book is the best drawing book I have ever read, by far.

Ryder, Anthony, "The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing". Watson Guptill 2000

I'm taking a portrait painting class with him soon, so I figured his book would be required reading, if for no other reason than to be familiar with the terminology. I was delighted that his technique was so helpful to me.

As I read through it I tried a few drawings using his method and I found the technique so helpful that I plan on using it for every drawing I do. I found myself following his advice (about checking angles, and looking for forms upon forms) every day on the current portrait I'm painting too.

I highly recommend not just reading through the book, but trying out the techniques on a few practice drawings and see what you think.

[Chris Saper]

I completely agree. This book is articulate and beautifully illustrated, and I think sets out a logic that can't be beat.

How fortunate for you to be able to take the workshop!

[Jeff Fuchs]

I have the book, and have benefited greatly from it. Online reviewers have had some unfavorable comments, mostly about the amount of detail involved, and the excessive amount of time it takes to complete a drawing. I think they are missing the point. The degree of finish you choose is a personal choice. Using Ryder's method, you can get more accurate work, and finish it as you see fit.

[Valentino Radman]

The book is definitely useful and A. Ryder is highly skilled draughstman.

However, we should never forget the fact that the highly developed skills are just the tool, not an aim in itself, lest we become what Harold Speed call "a mechanical instrument" and "unimpassioned renderers of appearance of things".

The faculty of accurate observation and good eye-hand coordination is just a prerequisite for making art. Once a student masters that, he/she is ready to embark upon their own unique and exciting artistic journey.

As I said, A.R. is skilled draughtsman, but, I for one prefer the likes of Alvin Gittins, William Whitaker, Victor Ambrus or Robert Liberace.

Robert Beverly Hale's
Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters is a great tutorial book on drawing. Admittedly, it will not teach one how to draw, but it will help enhance one's perceptivness, which is of utmost importance in visual arts.

(Oh, I almost forgot: I can not understand why A.R. circumscribe his figures ??? My teacher at the Academy called such a line (that of uniform thickness around the figure or a cast) "a wire". We learned very early basics like - thick in shadows and thin where light fall upon the form, etc.. Another thing: shadows contribute in expressioning the sense of bulk - that is, the third dimension. Shadows on a human form should not be flat. It is obvious that A.R. knows how to create an illusion of solidity of the form, so it was even more disturbing for me to see those large flat shadow areas in many of the drawings reproduced in his book.)

[Patricia Joyce]

Having just purchased the book ("The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing") two weeks ago I need to put in my two cents. I am very new to figure drawing from life, having just begun a life drawing class in January where I attend once a week.

Last night was the first session I attended since reading of A Ryder's approach. My ability to sort out the complex positions last night was greatly improved (our model can hold incredibly complex positons - I think her spine is rubber!) I felt A.R. gave me ways to check and recheck my proportions, a way to scan the model, then scan my drawing and make appropriate corrections as I went along. I came home last night more satisfied with what I had sketched and drawn.

I too, am attending his workshop on portrait drawing on toned paper in January, thus my reason for purchasing his book. I do realize that my learning curve needs to increase dramatically between now and Jan 26th!! In fact I sent in my check today and booked my flight, so I guess at this point I am going on FAITH!!